Discharge Instructions & Home Care
Your pet is ready to go home. Please read these instructions carefully and keep this form handy for the next week or so. If anything feels wrong, call us — do not wait.
Section 1 — Visit Summary
Section 2 — Medications to Give at Home
Please finish the full course even if your pet seems back to normal. Do NOT give any human medication unless we specifically prescribed it.
Medication 1 — name, dose, and when to give:
Medication 2 — name, dose, and when to give:
Medication 3 — name, dose, and when to give:
Time of next medication dose:
Section 3 — Activity Restrictions
• Strict rest for 10–14 days — leash walks to the toilet only, no running or jumping.
• Crate or small-room confinement when unsupervised.
• No stairs, no dog parks, no rough play with other pets.
• Keep the Elizabethan collar (cone) on 24/7 until the incision is healed.
• Do not bathe or let the incision get wet until sutures are removed.
Section 4 — Food, Water & Elimination
Tonight, offer a small amount of food (about half the normal portion) and free access to water. Full appetite should return within 24 hours. Mild grogginess and reduced interest in food are normal the first evening.
Specific dietary instructions for your pet:
Section 5 — Call Us Right Away If You Notice
Any of the signs below may indicate a problem. After-hours, contact the emergency line or the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital.
• Bleeding, swelling, or discharge from the incision
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
• Refusing food or water for more than 24 hours
• Pale gums, laboured breathing, or collapse
• Unable to urinate or defecate within 24 hours of returning home
• Seizures, tremors, or disorientation lasting more than a few hours
Section 6 — Recheck & Suture Removal
Next recheck appointment:
• Sutures / staples to remove at recheck
• Stitches are dissolvable — no removal needed
Section 7 — Owner Acknowledgment
Questions you still have for the veterinary team:
We wish your pet a smooth, comfortable recovery. Give them an extra treat from us when they are feeling better.